EPCQ4A with Quartus 13.0

[AdrienBouvier]

Hello,

I would like to replace the EPCS4SI8N component, which is now obsolete. The EPCQ4ASI8N seems to be the most suitable replacement.

However, I have some concerns regarding programming compatibility. We have been using an Altera USB-Blaster along with Quartus II version 13.0 to program the EPCS4SI8N.

My question is: will I be able to program the EPCQ4ASI8N using the same USB-Blaster and Quartus II 13.0? Or will I need to upgrade the software, use a different programmer or use another component?

Thank you in advance for your support.

[sstrell]

If you're just using the Quartus Programmer (not doing design), any version of the software would work.  You can even just download the Programmer standalone.

[FvM]

As far as I see, EPCSQ4A is full compatible with EPCS4, e.g. equal Silicon ID. I expect that .jic generated for EPCS4 will work for EPCSQ4A as well.

[AdrienBouvier]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your helpful answer.

I have one more question.
We originally used .pof files to program the EPCS4SI8N.
What I would like to do now is use those same .pof files  (originally generated for the EPCS4SI8N with Quartus 13.0)  to directly program the EPCQ4ASI8N, without regenerating or converting them.

Would it be possible to use these existing .pof files with the Quartus Programmer Standalone to program the EPCQ4ASI8N?

[FvM]

Hi,
using .pof files means you are programming over dedicated AS interface. Most designs are now using .jic programming over JTAG interface. You can simply open the .pof file in any version of Standalone programmer, I expect that it should be able to program EPCS4 and EPCQ4A as well.

If it doesn't work with EPCQ4A because programmer is performing additional checks of flash type (which won't be actually necessary in this case), you'd need an original .sof file to generate a new .pof or .jic without recompiling the design.